Grain cleaning apparatus



Nov. 20, 1956 H. A. LINDAHL ET AL 2,771,192

GRAIN CLEANING APPARATUS Gttorneg r a w. 1 b a. 3 a n m d m M A .5 A? N .T S v N MN All 4 NAQN R MN 5 m3 wm hm 9% I u A a r 5 m W u r MN mi N .WIQIII\%II \lliml vliluall fl vllkilI!!!wflllllli!lllm ml\mu M E AN i QN A 3 Q Q Q Q N 3 u M Q Filed June 30, 1951 Nov. 2@, 1956 I H. A. LHNDAHL ET AL 2,77L1

GRAIN CLEANING APPARATUS Filed June 30, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Zmm'ntor Harry 4. Zfnda/J/ ffar/ Gustaf Szrandber? Nov. 20, 1956 H. A. LINDAHL ET AL 2,771,192

GRAIN CLEANING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 39. 1951 A/(AAAAAIA Zmventor m e m am m ad m" LN m, U U F6 m w 5M Nov. 2%, 1956 H. A. LINDAHL ET AL 237L192 GRAIN CLEANING APPARATUS Filed June 30. 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 m BUM n; A FTORNEY United States Patent 2,771,192 GRAIN CLEANING APPARATUS Harry A. Lindahl and Karl Gustaf Strandb er g scrim], Minn., assignors to Ideal Grain Cleaner Company, St. Paul, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Application June so, 1951, Serial No. 234,512

6 Claims. 01. 209-95 This invention relates to an improvement in grain cleaning apparatus wherein it is desired'to provide a simple and. effective apparatus for theuseparation of removing foreign material grains -of different sizesand therefrom. a

An object of the present invention resides in the pro, vision of a mechanical apparatus capable of grading grains in such a manner as to separategrains ofone kernel size from grains having a different. kernel size.

This-device also functions to separate thev grain kernels I cencentric cylinders in tapering relationship having-a feed-in at one end and adjustable relative retarder feede outlets. p p

An additional feature, of this invention is to provide animproved arrangement of .relativerotating cylinders in'-.

cluding a centered pivotal and angularly adjustable trough within an inner cylinder. A further feature of this invention is to provide an improved cylinder arrangement having angularly adjustable and fixed retarder elements for separation and banking of grain within the cylinder arrangement. l

An additional feature improved grain cleaning and separating arrangement having internal seals which prevent leakage and reduce wear with minimum replacement and adjustment required.

of this invention is to providean 2 Figure 4 is'a sectional view through the adjustable retarder, the position of the section being indicated by the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a sectional view through the separator near the inlet end thereof, this view showing the drive mechanism for driving the cylinders, the position of the section,

being indicated by'the line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a horizontal'longitudinal sectionthrough the separator, the section being taken through the axes of the separating cylinders.

Figure 7 is asectional view through the separator, the

position ofthe section being indicated by the line 7-'-7 of Figure l. I

Figure 8 is a side elevational view of the separator, a

portio'nof the casing being broken away to indicate a portion of the structure.

Figure 9 is a=detail sectional view showing the manner, in-which the adjustable trough edge is supported and v adjusted.

The separator is indicated in general by the letter A. It is sh'own as having a generally rectangular casing including a top panel 10, a bottom panel 11, and side panels12 and 13.: The panels are supported upon a similarly shaped rectangular frame of angle iron or similar material indicated in general by the numeral 14. Legs 15 are provided at opposite ends of the frame in order I to support the housing above the floor.

Another feature ofthis inventionais toaprovide an.

3 an outer rim-or marginal portion 17 which is'connected improved grain cleaning and separating arrangement of An. end closuremember 16 is bolted or otherwise attached to the forward end of the frame 14 and projects forwardly therefrom. This closure member 16 includes by a forwardly extending oflf-set 19 at a closure panel 20.

An added feature of the present invention resides in the provision of an adjustable flanged edge on the trough located within the outer separating cylinder and in the provision of a novel means: for adjusting the position of this flanged edge. Whenthe adjustable troughedge is in one extreme position less grain isfdeposited in the. trough and with the edge in its opposite extreme position tion will be more clearly and fully set forth in the follow-.-

ing specification and claims. I In the drawingsforming a part of our specification:

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through the separator showingin general the arrangement of parts therein.

Figure 2 is a front end view. of the separator showing the construction thereof.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectionalview through theseparator near the discharge end thereof, the positionof thesection The closure panel 20 is apertured to accommodate the outer trough and is provided with a forwardly extending octagonal sleeve 21boltedthereto about the aperture. A front closedplate 22 is'bolted or otherwise aiiixed to the octagonal sleeve 21 and forms the front closure for the housingfl.

.A' pair of .angularly. spacedidle rollers 23 are pivotally mounted upon stub shafts 24 supported by the closure panel 22., These idle ro'llers23 act to rotatably support the inner separating .cylinder 25. The cylinder 25 is provided withspaced pockets or indentations on its inner surface capable of receiving kernels of grain. The size of the pockets orfindentations depends upon the'size of particles whichit is designed to elevate. Usually the pockets of the "inner cylinder 25 are relatively small so as to receive cracked-kernels of grain as well as seeds and other particles which'are smaller than the kernels of.-grain., As a result the pockets will carry the seeds and-small particles of cracked grain kernels upwardly to a point substantially higher than it can carry whole kernels of grain, the whole kernels falling from the pockets at arelatively low elevation.

A chute housing 26 is bolted or secured at 27 to the closure plate 22 and extends forwardly therefrom. A bearing 29 is secured to this chute housing 26 to support the forward end of a conveyor shaft 30. The conveyorv shaft 30' is provided with a spiral conveyor 31 thereupon. The opposite end of the shaft 30 is supported by a bearing. 32 mounted upon a panel 33 supported in spaced relation to the closure panel 34 secured to the rear end of the frame 14. 1 The manner in which the shaft is driven will be later described in detail.

Atrough 35 is provided with an end 36 supporting a bearing 37 encircling the conveyor shaft 30. The bearbeing-indicated by the line 33 of, Figure 1-,; z

ing 37 merely rides upon the shaft 30 and acts to support the :rear end of the trough 35. The forward end of the trough is provided with an end plate 39 having a tubular. sleeve like extension40. The tubular extension .40 is cpncentrie with the conveyor shaft '30 and en- Patented Nov. 20, 6

3 circles the forward end of the conveyor 31. This tubular extension 40 extends through afiapena'reai 'ifith' closure plate 22 and through a registering aperture 42 in the chute housing 26. The projecting end of the 'e'x'ten sion 40 is provided with rectangular aperturs43' in angularly spaced relation. These apertures are. spaced to provide teeth engageable with the teeth of a cooperating pinion 44. The pinion 44 is mounted upon a shaft 45 supported by a bearing 46 attached t o the outer surface of the chute housing 26. A manually operable adjustment seal 47 is provided upon the shaft 45 and serves as a means of rotatingthe pinion 44. Rotation of the pinion 44 acts to rotate the tubular extension 40 of the chute and consequently causes. rotation 33 oscillation of the chute 35 about the axis of the shaft The trough 35 is provided with upwardly and outwa rdl'y diverging walls 49 and 50 which terminatein out-turned reinforcing flanges 51 and S2. The chute 35 is taperedthroughout its length and the rear end ofthe chute being narrower than the forward end thereof. Consequentlythe marginal edge of the flange 52 is spaced from the surface of the cylinder 25 asubstantially equal distance throughout the length of the flange. This feature' is of importance as otherwise the grain particles eleyated by the, cylinder 25 at one end thereof might be deposited into the chute while at the opposite end-of the cylinder, grain particles elevated an equal amount might well be rejected.

The cylinder 25 is provided with, inclined guide vanes 53 on its. exterior surface, thesemvanes being spaced a relatively long axial distance apart near the outlet'end ofthe cylinder and spacedcloser together near the in letend of the cylinder 25. The cylinder 25 hot smaller diameter at its inlet end 54 than at its outlet end 55 so that grain within this cylinder will have a tendency to move toward the outlet end upon rotation of the cylinder. A series of paddles 56 are provided at the inlet end of the cylinder, these paddles being'supported'by a hub. 7 and being secured at their outer extremity to at nm 59 attached to the inlet end of the cylinder. These paddles 56 are so shaped as to drawgrain banked adiacent the end of the cylinder by the guide vanes 53' inwardlyinto the interior of the cylinder. In'other words, the grain builds upjin depth against the end of theretating cylinder and the paddles scoop the grain into th'e' ylia e vEncircling the cylinder 25 is provided a" tro11gh-60. This trough 60 supports grain for movement'toward'the" inlet end of the cylinder. atone end by a-bearing 61 encircling the'conveyorshaft 30.- Atthe opposite end this trough is bolted. or'otherwise secured as indicated at 62 in Figure 6 to the'octag onalsleeve 21. The trough 60 is open along its upper extremity as indicated at 63, one edge of the'trou'ghbe" ing provided with an outwardly'turned reinforcing flange 64 as indicated in Figure 7. The other edge'65'of the troughsupports an adjustable wing Which may be moved angularly to widen or narrow the trough o'pen-' ing; The" manner in which the wing 66 is supported is best indicated in Figures 7, 8 and 9 of the drawings. I

A pair of supporting tracks 67 are secured to the trough 60 near opposite ends thereof. Thesetracks 67 include arcuate guides 69 which are concentric with me trough; The wing 66 includes spaced clips 70 which book over the arcuate guides 69' and support the wing for angular movement on the tracks 67. 'I' S F E may be moved angularly between two 'extr'emepositio'ns.

60" to assist in supporting this' chute. serves as an inlet passage leading to the interior of the lever 71 is pivotally connected at 76 to an arm77 ex;

assures-graham;sf are" troiigli. The 77 is" slidably supported by clips 79' attached to the trough 60, these clips fitting the arm 77 loosely enough to permit the necessary vertical movement of the arm as the bell crank levers 71 pivot about their fixed pivots. The arm 77 is provided with an extension80 which extends through the front clqsurepanel 20 and is provided on" its outer extremity with a handle 81. A guide clip 82 loosely guides arm extension 80in it'sflmoyement'. Apointer 83' onthe arm extension 80' is cooper-able with -indicia 84 on the rectangular sleeve" 21 to" indicate the position of the wing 66.-

A cylinder 85 encircles the trough 6 0 and elevates grain particles to" be depo'sited into -this trough. One end of the cylinder 85 is supported by an end closure disc 86 anchored to a hub 87. As indicated in Figure 5 or the-drawings; rollers 89 are supported upon stub shafts'i90 which in turn are supported-by the closure 33 and-support. a 'beltpulley 102. The belt pulley 102 isdriven" by a belt from any suitable source of power supply such' 'as'an' electric motor secured adjacent to' the housing or actually attached thereto. 1

The end panel'34of'the housing is provided with a reinforcing casting 103 securedto a sleeve 104 extendingthrough' the hub 87. A flange 105 on the sleeve 104 isboltedtor otherwise aflixed to'a bracket 106, which in t'urn is connected to'the end 107 of the chute The sleeve 104 outer cylinder 85. A baiile;108 is provided within'the sleeve l04to" deflect grain and other material into outer'cylindeh An inlet chute 109 extends downwardly betweentheendpanel 34'andthe'par'allel panel 33 and 'termiiiates'in 'anan'gularly e'xteiiding sleeve '110 which telcs'jcopes in to' the sleeve 104. Themixture of: andsee'ds enters through the inlet chute" 109 andis dcflccted by the bafile 108 through the sleeve 104 and into the'in'terior= of maomer-cyunaer'ss; Thus allflof the The trough "is supported incomihg ma'ter'ial passes; into this outer cylinder.

Qt-sprocket 111 is 'mbumea upon the conveyor shaft 30 ahdfthissp'rocket-is connected byiachain 112 to a drive'*'sproeket 11's en tlier 'oi i ei j hatt 9g; h s r tation' 'of'this winner-share acts" tof rbt'ate the conveyor shaft arid theiniier' cyliiidef25 secured; thereto torirotation inunisoh tli v 'w'ith." 'Simultaneouslyjthe rotation is transferred tli'roiig h the -belti96 to the sprocket: 95 con nected to madam of the o ter; cylinder 85 so that both' cylinders 'are rotatd' in unison.

'Asb'est indicated in Figures ral ies er the drawings,

cylinder 2'5'. This retarder"114 feornpriees an 'arcuate' body of material preferably having a wearingsurface of A pair of hell crank levers 71 are pivotally arichoreid fiber'prgjotherfloh'giwearing meterial. An arm 116' is. connectedto retarder 1-14and extends upwardly'and forwardly therefrom. This armff11 6fisprevided with a forwa'rdlycxtehdirig 'extre'niity117 whichextend's through the nameplate 'zranais;provi'd'ed with a counterweight 119'. This ce-uneeweigm tends to urge the retarder 114 inwardly of the cylinder 25 against the pressure of the" grain which hai'ilt's against the'retarder an d tendstomove this member outwardly toward the outlet ofjthecylinder. The'j position of the weight 'mr 'gnate's the force" with which-meeting? is urge ga nst ne ate; sigcerngg ure 1 is the only sideelevational viewandsiiice' thiswic'w is a sectional one, the counterweight is actually toward the reader from the vertical plane on which the section is taken. Accordingly the dotted or phantom outline of the counter-weight in this figure represents only a shadow or projected view of the weight.

The outlet end of the outer cylinder 85 is also provided with a retarder indicated in general by the numeral 120. The retarder 120 includes a fixed section 121 which is secured in fixed relation to the closure panel of the end closure member 16 and which engages against the inner surface of the cylinder 85 with a sliding fit. The retarder 120 also includes a relatively movable section 122 which is arranged in telescoping relation with the fixed retarder section 121 and which is angularly adjustable to vary the effective angular length of the retarder. As indicated in Figure 4 of the drawings, a channel 123 having outwardly turned parallel sides 124 and 125 provided with arcuate outer edges accommodates both the fixed retarder member 121 and the movable retarder member 122. The fixed retarder member 121 comprises an arcuate segment of fabric or similar material which is riveted or otherwise secured as indicated at 126 to the wall 125 of the channel 123 and to the closure panel 20. An arcuate reinforcing strip 127 overlies the opposite edge of the retarder segment 121 to further reinforce i..-

the same.

The movable retarder member 122 comprises an armate segment of fabric or similar material having reinforcing plates 130 and 131 on opposite sides thereof. The

reinforcing plates are riveted or otherwise aflixed to the I reinforcing plates as indicated at 132. The retarder 122 slides between the retarder 121 and the slide 124 of the channel 123. A clip 133 is provided on the free end of the movable retarder 122 to connect this retarder to an adjustment arm 134. The adjustment arm 134 extends through the wall of the outlet chute 135 and is held in adjusted position by a clamp 136 attached to the exterior surface of the housing.

The description of the operation of the apparatus is as follows:

The mixed grain combined with seeds and other impurities enters through the inlet chute 109 and is deflected by the deflector 107 through the sleeve 104 and into the interior of the outer grain cylinder 85. This cylinder 85 is provided with indentations or pockets in its inner surface, these pockets being of a selected size, depending upon the grain with which the separator is to operate. The pockets of the cylinder 85 are of proper size to accommodate grain of a desired size as well as the seeds, broken kernels and other small particles of foreign material. The larger kernels of grain slip from the pockets as the cylinder rotates, these larger kernels falling toward the bottom of the cylinder and building up a bank of grain against one side of the cylinder. The smaller grain kernels which are to be separated from the larger kernels are carried upwardly a distance sufiicient to drop into the trough within the outer cylinder 85. By adjusting the position of the wing 66, the apparatus may be regulated to reject kernels of one size and to separate kernels of a slightly smaller size together with the smaller particles of grain, broken kernels, seeds and the like.

In adjusting the position of the wing 66 it is only necessary to loosen the guide 82 which acts in the capacity of a clamp to hold the arm extension 80 in a desired position and to move this arm extension and the arm connected thereto longitudinally of the trough in one direction or the other. As the arm 77 moves to the right, the bell crank levers 71 are pivoted in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 8, pushing the wing 66 up wardly. As the handle 81 is pulled in the opposite direction to move the arm 77 to the left the bell crank levers 71 are pivoted in a clockwise direction, lowering the wing 86. The flanged edge 140 is tapered so that the marginal edge 141 thereof is always at a constant distance from the outer cylinder 85. The grain or seed separation between the carrying pockets of cylinder andwing 66 is facilitated bythe flange 140 carrying marginal-edge 141 in relatively constant relationship over the surfaces ofthe pockets. In addition the flange 140 prevents marginal spill-over of material which may be forced against the flange by the rotation of cylinder 85, as herein described.

The grain remaining in the outer cylinder 85 gradually moves to the larger diameter outlet end of this'cylinder against the retarder 120. This retarder acts to build up a bank of grain within the cylinder to insure proper action of the separating cylinder. The amount to which the bank of grain will build up is determined by adjustment of the adjustable portion 122 of this retarder.

The grain eventually passes overor beyond the retarder and drops into the outlet chute 135. As the outlet end of the cylinder 85' extends well over the outlet chute 135, the grain is guided into the chute with no difiiculty. Furthermore, as the fixed section 127 of the retarder is secured directly to the casing closure panel 20, no grain can escape through the cylinder end without passing into the chute 135. The grain elevated bythe cylinder 85 drops into the chute 60 and is gradually urged against the closed end 107 of this chute by the guide vanes 53.

When a suflicient depth of grain is reached at the inlet end of the cylinder 25, the paddles 56 draw this grain into the cylinder through the inlet end 54 thereof.

The grains within the cylinder 25 are again subjected to a separating action due to the pocketed inner surface of this cylinder. The small grains, seeds, and broken kernels may be elevated by the inner cylinder 25 to an extent where they will drop into the trough 35. The separation between the particles of different sizes is regulated by adjusting the angular position of the trough 35. This is accomplished as previously described by the hand seal 47 which rotates the pinion 44 to rotate the tubular extension 40 of the trough.

The seeds and other small particles are therefore dropped into the trough 35 while the larger grains fall back into the cylinder 25. These grains gradually move toward the outlet end of the cylinder 25 due to the taper in the cylinder. The escape of these seeds is retarded by the retarder 114 which tends to build up a bank of grain in the inner cylinder and to insure contact of all of the grain with the cylinder surface. When the grain passes over or around the retarder 114 it falls from the outlet end of the cylinder 25 and into the discharge chute 142. The cylinder extends well over the chute 142 so that no seal is required between these elements.

The seeds and other particle-s deposited in the trough 35 are :conveyed through the tubular extension 40 by the conveyor 41 and fall into the chute housing 26 which communicates with an outlet chute 143. Thus a large size of grain, as for example oats will be discharged through the chute while smaller whole grain particles such as wheat may be discharged through the discharge chute 142. The seeds, broken kernels and small particles may be discharged through the chute 143.

In accordance with the patent statutes, we have described the principles of construction and operation of my grain cleaning apparatus, and while we have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, we desire to have it understood that obvious changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

We claim:

1. A grain separator including a separating cylinder, means rotatably supporting said cylinder, a retarder at one end of said cylinder, said retarder comprising an arcuate shoe arranged in surface contact with the inner surface of said cylinder at one end thereof, means supporting said shoe for movement longitudinally of said cylinder, an arm connected at one end to said shoe and hinged intermediate its ends, said arm supporting said shoe for radial movement, and a counter-weight on the 7. end of said arm opposite the end connected t'o'said shoe.

ZPA- separator including a separating cylinder havingindentations in its inner surface, a trough within said-cylinder, an adjustable wing on said trough designedto 'more or 'less close the upper end of said trough, andposition of said wing, and respective curved links articuiatively connected to said levers and to said wing.

3. The structure described in claim 2 and in which the cylinder is tapered and including a marginal upper edge on said wing substantially -equi-distant from the inner surface of said cylinder throughout its length.

4.'A grain separator including a separating cylinder having selecting indentations distributed over its inner wall, means rotatably supporting said cylinder on a substantially horizontal axis, a trough within said cylinder, 0. generally arcuateretarder at the discharge end of said cylinder, said retarder being adjacentthe inner wall of the cylinder and angularly extensible and contractable in length.

5. The structure described in claim 4--and in whieh'the retarder includes a fixedsectioni'andan angularly adjust able section arranged in overlapping relation,-"eaoh said 'engageable section including an arcuate shoe frictionally with the inner surfiace of the cylinder. I

6. The structure described in claim '4 and in'which the retarder includes a relatively fixed section and a relatively movable section arranged in telescoping relation with said fixed section, both said sections including arcuate shoes designedto follow the contour of the inner surface of the cylinder, and means connected to the movable section for holding the movable section in adjusted position.

References Cited in the file of this patent Johnson Nov. 1, 1938, 

